Barack Obama and the New America : The 2012 Election and the Changing Face of Politics

Larry Sabato, one of the leading experts in American politics, has brought together respected journalists and academics from across the political spectrum to examine every facet of the 2012 election, and what its development and outcome will mean for the nation moving forward. In frank, accessible prose, each author offers insight that goes beyond the headlines, and dives into the underlying forces and shifts that drove the election from its earliest developments to its dramatic conclusion. Contributing authors joining Larry Sabato with chapters in the book include: Professor Alan Abramowitz of Emory University; Professor Diana Owen of Georgetown University; Jamelle Bouie of American Prospect; Professor James Campbell of SUNY-Buffalo; Political writers and commentators Kyle Kondik and Geoff Skelley of the University of Virginia Center for Politics; Michael Toner, former chairman of the Federal Election Commission; Karen E. Trainer of Wiley Rein LLP; Nate Cohn of The New Republic; Rhodes Cook, formerly of Congressional Quarterly; Robert Costa of National Review; Sean Trende of RealClearPolitics; and Professor Susan MacManus of the University of South Florida. Following Sabato’s introductory analysis, the contributors provide a comprehensive review of everything in play during the 2012 elections, including the controversial roles that unprecedented amounts of money and media played in deciding who would occupy the Oval Office as well as pivotal seats in Congress. They also explore the nominating processes, conventions, and futures of both the Democratic and Republican parties, and what recent geographic and demographic electoral realignments might mean for America’s politics beyond 2012. The Obama Encore That Broke Some Rules / Larry J. Sabato -- Voting In A Time Of Polarization: Why Obama Won And What It Means / Alan Abramowitz -- A First Party-term Incumbent Survives: The Fundamentals Of 2012 / James E. Campbell -- Un-conventional Wisdom: The 2012 Conventions And The Nominating Process / Rhodes Cook -- The Six-billion-dollar Election: The Impact Of Federal Election Laws / Michael E. Toner And Karen E. Trainer -- Voters To The Sidelines: Old And New Media In The 2012 Election / Diana Owen -- America's Evolving Electorate / Nate Cohn -- Candidates Matter: 2012's Senate And Gubernatorial Contests / Geoffrey Skelley -- Republicans Hold The Line: 2012's National House Contest / Kyle Kondik -- Forward: The Future Of The Democratic Party / Jamelle Bouie -- A Time For Choosing: The Future Of The Republican Party / Robert Costa -- Are We In An Electoral Realignment? / Sean Trende -- From 2012 To 2016: Concluding Thoughts On The Permanent Campaign / Susan Macmanus. The Obama Encore That Broke Some Rules / Larry J. Sabato -- Voting In A Time Of Polarization: Why Obama Won And What It Means / Alan Abramowitz -- A First Party-term Incumbent Survives: The Fundamentals Of 2012 / James E. Campbell -- Un-conventional Wisdom: The 2012 Conventions And The Nominating Process / Rhodes Cook -- The Six-billion-dollar Election: The Impact Of Federal Election Laws / Michael E. Toner And Karen E. Trainer -- Voters To The Sidelines: Old And New Media In The 2012 Election / Diana Owen -- America's Evolving Electorate / Nate Cohn -- Candidates Matter: 2012's Senate And Gubernatorial Contests / Geoffrey Skelley -- Republicans Hold The Line: 2012's National House Contest / Kyle Kondik -- Forward: The Future Of The Democratic Party / Jamelle Bouie -- A Time For Choosing: The Future Of The Republican Party / Robert Costa -- Are We In An Electoral Realignment? / Sean Trende -- From 2012 To 2016: Concluding Thoughts On The Permanent Campaign / Susan Macmanus. Edited By Larry J. Sabato. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "Larry J. Sabato, one of the leading experts in American politics, has brought together respected journalists and academics from across the political spectrum to examine every facet of the 2012 election and what its development and outcome will mean for the nation moving forward. In frank, accessible prose, each author offers insight that goes beyond the headlines and dives into the underlying forces and shifts that drove the election from its earliest developments to its dramatic conclusion."--Page 4 of cover